Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 30

Food For Thought Friday: Making a Difference

Normally on Fridays we do recipes or share foodie ideas but today I'm doing something a bit different because I was impacted in a huge way yesterday and wanted to share.

My husband and I were in the grocery store yesterday. We don't have much to spend right now so we were carefully picking out what we needed until we had some extra cash. As we were unloading our cart, the woman in front of us seemed very distressed and broke down. At first, we thought that she may not have had enough money to...

Talk About It Tuesday: Crutches

Crutches.

From a psychological stand point, it refers to actions or things that you turn to as a coping method. Some are more harmful than others, obviously. And more addictive.

For some of us, it's spending. For others it's video games or cell phone time. For others it can be darker like eating disorders, drinking, drugs or hurting ourselves in other ways. In the short term, turning to some sort of crutch can be comforting, but you know what? In the long term, it takes a toll.

It takes a toll o...

Music Mantra Monday: Fab Fourever

Well, I am very excited to be able to connect with my favorite Beatles cover band EVER!

Not only do I enjoy and appreciate what they do, they are such gentle souls who truly love what they do and how others are affected by their music.

Next week, we will be dedicating every day to this band. We will be interviewing each band member, then have an entire day dedicated to them all together.

We did this a couple of years ago, but with some recent changes, they need an update from me. ;)

If you want a...

Writing Sample Saturday: And Her Bird Can Sing

Blue Jays were my grandfather's favorite bird. And where we lived, we didn't get to see them very often. But when we did, we'd sit together...in silence...and enjoy its presence.

We all need that in our lives. Moments where no matter how awful the world may seem, or the crappy things we are forced to deal with, we are brought back to what life really is.

There will always be mean, angry people. There will always be violence. There will always be events that happen that are so horrific we can't...

Writing Prompt Wednesday:

Each of us has our on interpretation of 'Zen'.

For some of us, it is who surrounds us. For others, it's WHAT surrounds us (I am a water person who finds calmness in that...especially waterfalls). But you need to be in tuned with your personal Zen otherwise things can go in a direction you don't want them to go.

Trust me. I know.

Write about your person Zen today. What you turn to for calmness. Who you turn to for calmness. What brings you back down to earth. What connects you to earth.

Zen.

Talk About It Tuesday: Happiness

Happiness.

It is something that as individual as each one of us. We all define happiness in our own way.

It is something that makes you feel good about who you are, where you want to go, what you choose to do in life and also, most importantly, who you surround yourself with. Trust me when I say who is around you has a lot to do with the base of your happiness.

Yes, sometimes life gets tough and what makes you happy takes a beating. But understanding that what is most precious to you IS your hap...

Music Mantra Monday: Songs That Tug At Your Heartstrings

Ah...love songs. There are so many that each of us relate to. Whether they are hard rock ones or mushy ones, we all have one that we relate to.

Today, I thought I'd compile a few that have touched me for different reasons, which I'll share why. Just click on the links to hear the music.

Please feel free to share your own songs, even in video.

Have a happy Monday.

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1. Only Time - Enya: I have to say, Enya is one of those artists who can trigger a heart string or two just from her v...

Music Mantra Monday: It's my Birthday! Celebrating the best way I know.

It is a tradition in this house to sing and crazy dance to 'Birthday' by the Beatles for everyone's birthday.

Today is my birthday. Admittedly, I can't STAND my Birthday, I never have. But my children love to celebrate it and make it happy. They are my joy, as is my husband, and seem to make even the most unpleasant things joyous.

So today, I want you all to join me in a crazy dance to 'Birthday' to my favorite version of it.

Thank you all.

Chynna

Food For Thought Fridays: Spinach pie

Okay this post is a day late, and we will have another one later today for our regular Saturday posting, but here we go.

I am sharing a recipe for one of my favorite comfort foods. This is based on a recipe from my favorite vegetarian cook book but, admittedly, I add a lot more feta (it's how to get the kids to eat it). Plus, if you don't have the fresh herbs, you can use dried ones (which I often do to save time). Just remember you need more fresh than you do dried.

You can have it on it's own...

Music Mantra Monday: Happy Birthday Mom

Today we're doing something special for Music Mantra. We are dedicating today's post to my mother.

It would have been my mother's birthday today. She and I may not have always gotten along, or knew how to bond, for many reasons, but we shared a love for music. She was the one who instilled my love for the Beatles. I think I knew every word to every song before I was in my double digits.

Her favorite was George and she told me that her favorite song was, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". To this d...